News

Iraqi experts were trained on cyber defence at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey to improve their expertise and technical knowledge and to contribute to the strengthening of Iraqi national cyber defence capabilities. This course was supported by the Science for Peace and security (SPS) Programme and took place from 21 November to 2 December 2016.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (8 December 2016). The Secretary General praised Estonia for its commitment to the Alliance, including through contributions on cyber defence and to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan. He noted that Estonia leads by example on defence spending and will host a multinational NATO battalion early next year.

NATO Foreign Ministers concluded two days of meetings on Wednesday (7 December 2016) with a meeting on Afghanistan, together with Resolute Support Mission partners and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani. Following the meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that both sides "reaffirmed our mutual commitments". Allies and partners will continue to support Afghanistan through the Resolute Support Mission and through funding, while the Afghan government will remain committed to reform.

NATO foreign ministers concluded two days of meetings in Brussels on Wednesday (7 December 2016), during which they made progress on a number of key issues, including cooperation with the European Union. Allies approved a series of more than 40 measures to advance how the two organisations work together – including on countering hybrid threats, cyber defence, and making their common neighbourhood more stable and secure. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called the agreement “a milestone in our relations,” adding that “neither organisation has the full range of tools” to address new challenges alone, “but working together we are a formidable force for good.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underscored the Alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission with Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin on Wednesday (7 December 2016). The Secretary General warned that serious security problems are hindering progress toward a political settlement to the conflict. Mr Stoltenberg also stressed NATO’s enduring support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the country’s reform efforts.

NATO Foreign Ministers discussed steps to strengthen the Alliance’s cooperation with the European Union on Tuesday (6 December 2016). Ministers were joined by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, as well as Finland and Sweden. They endorsed over 40 proposals to deepen NATO-EU cooperation in seven key areas, including countering hybrid threats, maritime security and cyber defence. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called it “a milestone in our relations,” adding: “neither organisation has the full range of tools” to address new challenges alone, “but working together we are a formidable force for good.”

NATO Foreign Ministers start two days of talks in Brussels on Tuesday (6 December 2016), focused on NATO’s adaptation to today’s security challenges. In the day’s first meeting – attended by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini as well as Finland and Sweden – NATO ministers are expected to agree a set of 40 concrete proposals to boost cooperation between NATO and the EU, including on so-called ‘hybrid’ threats, boosting cyber defence and working together at sea.

NATO Foreign Ministers are meeting in Brussels over the next two days (6-7 December 2016) to discuss key security challenges. Today, ministers will endorse over 40 proposals to deepen NATO’s cooperation with the EU in seven key areas. They will also discuss NATO’s efforts to project stability beyond its borders, including the Alliance’s support for the Western Balkans.

NATO Foreign Ministers reviewed progress in the Alliance’s efforts to project stability beyond its borders on Tuesday (6 December 2016). They discussed NATO support to the Counter-ISIL Coalition, the training of Iraqi officers, and maritime operations in the Mediterranean. Ministers also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the Alliance’s commitment to its partners in the region.

The international conference “Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine – Outcomes and Recommendations for Europe and the World” took place in Piotrkow Trybunalski (Poland) on 23 and 24 November 2016. It was jointly organised by NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), four Polish and three Ukrainian universities.